Animals ; Calcitriol ; pharmacology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; Liver ; drug effects ; Liver Diseases ; complications ; drug therapy ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

ObjectiveTo observe the influence of Danshen injection on the serum levels of TNF-α,IL-6 in patients with acute pancreatitis(AP).Methods70 patients with AP were randomly divided into the experimental and control group.The two groups were given conventional anti-inflammatory,antisecretory,antispasmodic,inhibition of pancreatic secretion treatment,and the experimental group were treated with Danshen injection.Before trealment and 1,2,4,6 days after treatment,the serum TNF-α,IL-6 levels were measured in both groups.The time of blood and urine amylase(AMS) returned to normal was observed in both groups.Results2,4,6d after treatment,the serum TNF-α,IL-6 of the observation group were lower than that of the control group( all P ＜ 0.05 ) ;The blood AMS recovery time of the observation group was ( 2.55 ± 0.71 ) d,which had no significant difference with that of the control group(2.46 +0.82)d(t =0.32,P ＞0.05 ),while urinary AMS recovery time of the observation group was (4.30 ±0.72 ) d,which was shorter than that of the control group ( 6.84 ± 0.88 ) d ( t =0.02,P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionDanshen injection could reduce the serum TNF-α,IL-6 levels in patients with AP,and had no effect on the serum amylase,with the trend of faster lower urinary amylase.

Objective:To study the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)on ecdysterone(EDS)influenced protective effect in H2O2induced myocardial injury.Methods: The H9c2 cells were randomly divided into control group(normal cells),H2O2 groups(the cells treated with H2O2at concentrations of 1×10-3,1×10-4,1×10-5mol/L,respectively);EDS group(the cells were exposed to H2O2and treated with EDS at concentrations of 25,50,100 μmol/L respectively).The cell activity and apoptosis were measured by MTT assay and flow cytometry,respectively.The protein levels of Bcl-2,Bax,cleaved-caspase-3,caspase-4,caspase-7, caspase-12,GRP78 and CHOP were deter mined by Western blot.The MDA content and SOD activity were detected by the MDA and SOD detection kits.Results:The cell activity was decreased,cell apoptosis was increased,the content of MDA was elevated,the activity of SOD was inhibited and the protein expression of GRP78 and CHOP were increased in H2O2group as compared with control group, which were all significantly reversed by EDS treatment(P<0.05).Conclusion: Ecdysterone exhibits a protective effect on the cardiomyocytes with H2O2induced injury by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress.

OBJECTIVETo determine human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status in breast carcinoma by the techniques of a fully automated immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), to compare the concordance of protein expression with gene amplification and to explore the optimization in process quality control.

METHODSA prospective study of invasive breast cancer specimens excised between May 2009 and April 2011 at the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences was conducted by automated IHC staining with the new 4B5 rabbit monoclonal antibody and FISH. An evaluation was performed according to the ASCO/CAP guidelines (2007) and Chinese guidelines (2009). The gene amplification status of 740 cases were detected by FISH.

RESULTSA total of 2420 cases of breast invasive ductal carcinoma without pre-operation therapy were tested by automated IHC. 551 cases (22.8%) were scored as positive (3+), 664 cases (27.4%) as equivocal (2+), and 1205 cases (49.8%) as negative (1+/0). Gene amplification was detected in 98.0% (242/247) HER2 protein expression positive (3+) cases and in 13.6% (53/389) equivocal (2+) cases. One of 247 (0.4%) HER2 expression 3+ cases and 5 of 389 (1.3%) HER2 expression 2+ cases were equivocal for gene amplification. No gene amplification was detected in expression negative (1+/0) cases by FISH (0/104). The overall concordance between IHC and FISH was 98.6% [(242 + 104)/(247 + 104)].

CONCLUSIONSThere is a high concordance rate between automated IHC with 4B5 rabbit monoclonal antibody and FISH results for assessing the HER2 gene amplification status in surgically-excised breast cancer specimens, suggesting that automated IHC with 4B5 antibody can provide a reliable method to detect HER2 overexpression for eligibility of HER2 targeted therapy.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Amplification ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Quality Control ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate curative effect of the fibrinogen gel for treating sacral canal arachnoid cyst.

METHODSNineteen patients with sacral canal arachnoid cysts included 7 males and 12 females; The average age was 48.4 years ranging from 19 to 68 years. The course was from 2 weeks to 7 months. Of all the patients, 9 were in level of S1, 4 were in level of S1 to S2, 5 were in level of S2, 1 was in level of S1 to S3. Cystis wall greater partial excision adopted in 11 cases, partial resection in 8, then all patients were treated by spray painting fibrinogen gel.

RESULTSNineteen patients were followed-up for 13 to 30 months (mean 21.3 months). The clinical symptom disappeared completely in 18 patients, and only one patient urinated incapably, but after 2 weeks returned to normal. No one found recurrence by MRI after 12 months.

CONCLUSIONThis method of fibrinogen gel for treating sacral canal arachnoid cyst has advantages of easy performing, safety, achieve good results, less neck symptoms and early commencing of mobilization.

Adult ; Aged ; Arachnoid Cysts ; pathology ; therapy ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; administration & dosage ; Gels ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sacrum

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to observe the association between the occurrence of esophageal cancer lesions and esophageal mucosa fold (white ridges), and further identify where is the initial origin of esophageal cancer lesions in the esophagus mucosa.

METHODSThis was a cohort study which recruited 551 subjects underwent endoscopic examination in a high risk area of esophageal cancer in Linxian, Henan Province in 1987. 339 subjects with esophageal white ridges, and with red area or erosion lesion at the surface of the white ridges, was studied as exposure group. Other 212 subjects whose esophagus had no white ridges and pathological diagnosis was negative, was studied as control group. The endpoint was occurrence of pathologically confirmed esophageal cancer. After a 15-year follow-up, the results were compared between two groups.

RESULTSAmong the 551 subjects, there were 339 cases with esophageal mucosal white ridges in the exposure group. During the period of 15 year follow-up, the incidence of esophageal cancer was 11.8% (9/76) in 76 case with simple mucosal white ridges, 33.5% (88/263) in 263 subjects with white ridges and red area, or erosions on the surface of white ridge. While only 8.0% of subjects (17/212) developed esophageal cancer after the 15-year follow up in the control group. There was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONEsophageal mucosal white ridge, especially white ridge with red area or erosions is closely associated with subsequent esophageal cancer occurrence in the esophageal cancer high risk area in China. It is suggested that esophageal mucosa with white ridge may be the initial origin of esophageal cancer. Further investigations focused on this spot are required.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; epidemiology ; pathology ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Esophagoscopy ; Esophagus ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; pathology ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Mucosa ; pathology ; Precancerous Conditions ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the related factors of portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) in patients with HCC.

METHODSA total number of 234 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were included in this retrospective study. Uni-variate and multi-variate logistic regression analysis were employed to analyze the association between PVTT and 18 routine clinical parameters.

RESULTSAmong the 234 patients with HCC, 15% of patients (35/235) had PVTT. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed significant association of age (P = 0.016), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT, P = 0.003), number of segmental invasion (P = 0.007), microvascular invasion (P < 0.01), segment location of S2 (P = 0.001), S3 (P = 0.000), S4 (P = 0.004) and S6 (P = 0.016). Multivariate analysis shows potential significant predictors of PVTT in HCC were age (RR: 0.373; 95% CI: 0.146-0.954; P = 0.040), the tumor location of S3 (RR: 4.625; 95% CI: 1.916-11. 165;P = 0.001), GGT (RR: 4.091; 95% CI: 1.448-11.553; P = 0.008) and microvascular invasion (RR: 20.912; 95% CI: 4.745-92.172; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSPVTT occurred more commonly in the younger (< 50 years old), and those with high level of GGT, segment location of S3 and microvascular invasion.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Child ; Embolism ; etiology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Portal Vein ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUNDCystic echinococcosis due to Echinococcus granulosus (E. granulosus) is one of the most important chronic helminthic diseases, especially in sheep/cattle-raising regions. The larval stage of the parasite forms a cyst that grows in the liver, lung, or other organs of the host. To ensure a long life in the host tissues, the parasite establishes complex inter-cellular communication systems between its host to allow its differentiation toward each larval stage. Recent studies have reported that this communication is associated with the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade in helminth parasites, and in particular that these protein kinases might serve as effective targets for a novel chemotherapy for cystic echinococcosis. The aim of the present study investigated the biological function of a novel ERK ortholog from E. granulosus, EgERK.

METHODSDNA encoding EgERK was isolated from protoscolices of E. granulosus and analyzed using the LA Taq polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach and bioinformatics. Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) was used to determine the transcription level of the gene at two different larval tissues. Western blotting was used to detect levels of EgERK protein. The expression profile of EgERK in protoscolices was examined by immunofluorescence.

RESULTSWe cloned the entire Egerk genomic locus from E. granulosus. In addition, two alternatively spliced transcripts of Egerk, Egerk-A, and Egerk-B were identified. Egerk-A was found to constitutively expressed at the transcriptional and protein levels in two different larval tissues (cyst membranes and protoscolices). Egerk-A was expressed in the tegumental structures, hooklets, and suckers and in the tissue surrounding the rostellum of E. granulosus protoscolices.

CONCLUSIONSWe have cloned the genomic DNA of a novel ERK ortholog from E. granulosus, EgERK (GenBank ID HQ585923), and found that it is constitutively expressed in cyst membrane and protoscolex. These findings will be useful in further study of the biological functions of the gene in the growth and development of Echinococcus and will contribute to research on novel anti-echinococcosis drug targets.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Computational Biology ; DNA, Helminth ; genetics ; Echinococcus granulosus ; enzymology ; genetics ; Genome, Helminth ; genetics ; Helminth Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between blood flow assessed by CT perfusion imaging and characteristics of microvascular ultrastructure in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODStwenty-eight patients with non-small cell lung cancer proven surgically and pathologically underwent perfusion CT examination. The patients were divided into a hyper-perfusion group and a hypo-perfusion group by the median value of blood flow, and then the differences of microvascular ultrastructure in the two groups were analyzed.

RESULTSThe median BF value of the 28 patients was 36.40 ml×100 g(-1)×min(-1). Take this median value as the boundary, the group with hypo-perfusion showed a significantly lower BF value than the group with hyper-perfusion [(30.84 ± 4.79) ml×100 g(-1)×min(-1) vs. (49.67 ± 10.89) ml×100 g(-1)×min(-1), t = -5.925, P < 0.001]. The group with lymph node metastasis showed a significantly lower BF value than the group without lymph node metastasis [(30.78 ± 5.24) ml×100 g(-1)×min(-1) vs. (50.73 ± 11.16) ml×100 g(-1)×min(-1), t = 3.490, P = 0.015]. The maturity of microvessels of the hyper-perfusion group was higher than that of the hypo-perfusion group. Under the electron microscope, the microvessels in the hypo-perfusion group showed a more narrow lumen, poorer integrity of basement membrane, a more close relationship between cancer cells and microvascular wall, and cancer cells were more easily seen in the microvascular lumen.

CONCLUSIONThe blood flow value of CT perfusion imaging may be related with the abnormal microvascular ultrastructure, and may be helpful to the prediction of metastasis risk in NSCLC.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Microvessels ; diagnostic imaging ; ultrastructure ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Perfusion Imaging ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEThe survival time of untreated advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is about 8 - 9 months. The objective of this study was to observe the natural progression of untreated early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma for 20 years.

METHODS4800 subjects from a high risk area of esophageal cancer in Lin-zhou city, Henan province, were examined by endoscopy from 1985 to 1990. Among them, 132 cases were diagnosed as early esophageal cancer. Based on the criteria, the lesions were endoscopically diagnosed as superficial mucosal lesions and histopathologically confirmed by biopsy as carcinoma in situ, intramucosal carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. 48 of the 132 patients, who refused treatment, were followed up to the end of 2005. There were 43 death and 5 alive. 40 patients were re-examined for 1 - 4 times by endoscopy during the following up.

RESULTSA total of 48 patients have been followed up for 20 years. 38 (79.2%) cases died of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, 5 (10.4%) died of non-cancer diseases and 5 (10.4%) were surviving. 37 patients had survived for over 5 years. The 5-, 10-, 15- and 20-years survival rates were 77.1%, 39.6%, 25.0% and 10.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe natural history of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma takes a long time to progress from early to advanced stage. It is very helpful for early diagnosis and selection of opportunity for treatment. The leading time bias by natural history of this disease should be considered when evaluate therapeutic effect on early stage esophageal cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma in Situ ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; Disease Progression ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Survival Rate